Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is the most vulnerable incumbent governor in 2018, according to new national election rankings today from Roll Call analyst Nathan Gonzales.
Rauner is the only incumbent governor currently projected to lose in 2018, according to the non-partisan rankings. Gonzales lists Illinois as “Tilt Democratic,” citing difficult headwinds for Rauner.
“The governor is willing and able to spend tens of millions of dollars to get re-elected. But that doesn’t change the distinct Democratic lean of the state. … The state and political environment will likely work against the governor. Tilt D.”
The announcement caps off another tough week for the embattled governor. Newspapers around the state have grown weary of Rauner’s dearth of answers to the state’s problems.
From the excuses over the budget impasse, to the thinly veiled campaign trips, to his flip-flops on reproductive rights, Rauner has done little to inspire confidence.
If you click here and go to the report, the Rauner race is actually listed as “Toss-up/Tilt Democrat.” The subscriber section referenced by the DGA lists it as “Tilt D.” Either way, it’s gonna be a heckuva race.
* In other campaign news, JB Pritzker was interviewed by Tom Miller at WJPF Radio today. Have a listen…
He’s getting better. That’s the best interview I’ve heard him do yet. But the questions were friendlier than the others.
“From the excuses over the budget impasse, to the thinly veiled campaign trips, to his flip-flops on reproductive rights, Rauner has done little to inspire confidence.”
And the longer these things continue the wearier journalists and voters will become. If Rauner doesn’t change his strategy, and there’s no indication he’ll do so, the race is going to tilt more and more towards the Dem candidate.
“Tens of millions”? You’re thinking too small, Roll Call/DGA.
==And the longer these things continue the wearier journalists==
We already know the opinions of beat reporters won’t count for squat at endorsement time. Hell, we don’t even know if the editorial board’s opinion will carry the day.
The amount of actual monies to hold Bruce Rauner accountable for his purposeful damage to Illinois will be nine-figures, spent by both sides at that clip.
The only question on the Democrats side is…
…Mike Noonan’s assessment.
The goal is to defeat Bruce Rauner. That’s the only goal to stave off the damage Bruce Rauner wants
===We already know the opinions of beat reporters won’t count for squat at endorsement time. Hell, we don’t even know if the editorial board’s opinion will carry the day.===
It’s not the endorsements I was thinking about. As reporters and editorial boards tire of his boilerplate talking points/non-answers hopefully they’ll stop regurgitating whatever he says and actually start asking some questions. We know Rauner won’t answer the tough questions but it will still make a difference if voters see that he’s unwilling to have an honest discussion.
- Jayrowellstateemployee - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:07 pm:
Agreed. Good interview for JB.
- Cubs in '16 - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:10 pm:
“From the excuses over the budget impasse, to the thinly veiled campaign trips, to his flip-flops on reproductive rights, Rauner has done little to inspire confidence.”
And the longer these things continue the wearier journalists and voters will become. If Rauner doesn’t change his strategy, and there’s no indication he’ll do so, the race is going to tilt more and more towards the Dem candidate.
- Arsenal - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
“Tens of millions”? You’re thinking too small, Roll Call/DGA.
==And the longer these things continue the wearier journalists==
We already know the opinions of beat reporters won’t count for squat at endorsement time. Hell, we don’t even know if the editorial board’s opinion will carry the day.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:23 pm:
The amount of actual monies to hold Bruce Rauner accountable for his purposeful damage to Illinois will be nine-figures, spent by both sides at that clip.
The only question on the Democrats side is…
…Mike Noonan’s assessment.
The goal is to defeat Bruce Rauner. That’s the only goal to stave off the damage Bruce Rauner wants
- Anonymous - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:23 pm:
You know that no matter how bad it gets, the Tribune will come out big for Rauner.
- Ok - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:32 pm:
Madigan should do the right thing and retire so that it will help ensure Rauner is defeated. He is holding back wins on the democrat side.
- JS Mill - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:36 pm:
The times are a changing and polls have become less than reliable.
- Ok - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:38 pm:
This is not a poll
- Anonymous - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:44 pm:
That was an excellent interview Pritzker did.
- Cubs in '16 - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 3:48 pm:
===We already know the opinions of beat reporters won’t count for squat at endorsement time. Hell, we don’t even know if the editorial board’s opinion will carry the day.===
It’s not the endorsements I was thinking about. As reporters and editorial boards tire of his boilerplate talking points/non-answers hopefully they’ll stop regurgitating whatever he says and actually start asking some questions. We know Rauner won’t answer the tough questions but it will still make a difference if voters see that he’s unwilling to have an honest discussion.